GVH-IL: The Power of Water

Writers: Chelle, Eimi, Paula
Date Posted: 21st June 2010

Characters: Vasmer, Hindit, Margen, Rinot
Description: The mine is flooded with men inside.
Location: Garnet Valley Hold
Date: month 9, day 17 of Turn 5

Vasmer was cursing the mine-whers as he pushed the mining cart along the
tunnel. Usually whers would be pulling it, but the stupid beasts had
refused to enter this part of the mine again. Rather than waste time and
risk getting bitten, he had released the whers and pushed the cart. They
had instantly disappeared to their nesting tunnels. "Hey, guys, come and
help with this! It's heavy!" He called to his workmates he knew were
working close by. He paid no attention to the puddle on the floor he
waded through. In darkness, the small trickle of water was growing
larger and the pressure behind the rock was growing. Unseen and unheard,
the rock groaned under the weight of water.

"I'm digging out!" Hindit called. He was busily shoveling in a corner,
the light shining on his head to illuminate what he was doing. He knew
that if he worked faster, he could go home early. His Fessie would have
supper on the table waiting.

Rinot put down his shovel and walked over Vasmer to give him a hand. He
stepped down into the puddle, rather surprised as it splashed up over
his boot. "Where'd that come from? Did I just not notice it earlier?"
he asked his companion as he took his place next to him to push the
cart.

"Who cares?" Vasmer snapped grumpily.

"Just saying, is all," Rinot said with a shrug, a small warning bell
going off in the back of his mind. But he ignored it in favor of
getting their work done as fast as they could. "Right, put your back
into it now."

Together they pushed the cart. There was slight downhill slope and the
cart started to roll on its own, picking up speed and running away from
the two miners. "Watch out!" Vasmer called. The cart hit the end of the
tunnel, sending a tremor across the rock. Behind their back, the rock
groaned and miniscule cracks grew wider.

Hindit heard the noise and then he saw what was happening. No one
had to tell him twice. "Run boys!" And he dropped his shovel and took
off for the entrance to the mine.

Vasmer screamed and started running.

The rock seemed to explode. Water and loose boulders sped forward,
quickly filling the tunnel.

Rinot turned towards the sound, letting go of the cart which had nothing
to secure it in place. It began slowly rolling back towards him,
bumping him in the back. He turned quickly, trying to stop the cart
before it could roll him over, but the ground beneath his feet was now a
torrent of water. His feet slipped in the mud as he tried to plant
them. The weight of the cart pushed him back, further and further until
his feet hit a large boulder that moments before had not been there.
But the cart with it's tons of stone would not stop. With a cry of
agony, he fell back atop the boulder as cart crushed his legs against
the rock.

"Help me!" Rinot cried out, trying to be heard over the water spraying
against his back.

Margen had been hammering away when he heard the fuss. Pulling out
the earplugs he used, he heard 'Run' and then 'Help me' and he turned to
survey the scene. His face was a mask of horror as he saw the water.

Throwing down his hammer, he ran for Rinot. He was only one man, though.
Try as he might, he couldn't pull the whole cart back on his own.

"Hurry!" Rinot tried to push, but he was pinned at an awkward angle, and
he could not use his legs at all. More rocks were beginning to crack
under the pressure.

Vasmer turned to help too. Together they got Rinot free. Behind their
backs, the ground shook and rumbled. Dust and water filled the air.
When Vasmer turned around, he realized that they were trapped in a
cul-de-sac. The rocks blocked their way to the exit, and the water was
flowing into the tunnels.

"We are trapped, we're doomed!"

"We need to find high ground." Margen threw Rinot over his shoulder. He
tried not to think about the water. "Can you knock through this wall
here? The other tunnel's on the other side of it."

"I can try," Vasmer said and picked up his tools. "We could turn around
the mine cart and stand on it," he also suggested.

"Not steady enough..." Margen set Rinot gently on the ground and began
to try and knock out the wall himself.

Rinot lay on his back, his breath ragged from pain. He was starting to
feel light headed and cold. Blood was pooling around his crushed legs,
turning the ground around him to thick, slippery mud. A whimper escaped
him and a feeling of extreme hopelessness washed over him as he listened
to the sound of rushing water, of pick-ax against stone, and anxious
voices.

Last updated on the June 28th 2010

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GVH-IL: The Power of Water